Weather Delays Start of Blind Sailing Worlds

Chicago, IL (September 10, 2015) – The start of the IFDS Blind Sailing World & International Championship for the 14 teams from four countries couldn’t get underway when the weather conditions failed to cooperate. While sitting in postponement, the Race Committee saw a wide and deep front with thunderstorms across all of the northern Illinois area, which led to the decision to send competitors back to shore.

Before making the call, the Race Committee consulted meteorologist Chris Bedford to see if racing would be possible for the day. “The wind was light and shifty, but we were willing to stay out there if it was going to settle,” said Regatta Chairman Ray Groble. “Sailors get wet, they’re used to getting wet, but the wind direction was just not stable enough to run any fair races.”

Day Two’s forecast is calling for 20 knots of wind from the south with large waves, but as Groble said, “Sometimes these forecasts are a little over exuberant. We just look forward to putting on some great races.”

The Blind 1 and Blind 2 Sections are racing aboard Sonars provided by Chicago Yacht Club and Sail Sheboygan, and the Blind 3 Section is racing on the Chicago Match Race Center’s TOM28s. No modifications are made to the boats or logistics of the regatta.

Racing is scheduled for September 10-13.

Additional information: www.chicagoyachtclub.org/blindworlds2015

Report by Morgan Kinney, Communications Director, Chicago Yacht Club